You’re invited to save 20% on all regularly-priced clothing and outerwear (and 10% off all regularly-priced hardgoods like boats, bikes, tents, skis & snowboards) at a special Cardinal Glennon Card pre-sale Sip & Shop event tonight, Thursday, October 17, 2013 from 5 pm to 8 pm at our Kirkwood location. All you need to do is either bring in your previously purchased Glennon Card or buy a card from us tonight to participate.
Featuring complimentary Straw-ber-Rita and Lime-a-Rita beverages for Glennon Card holders along with the deals above, this is a great opportunity to benefit the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. 100% of your Glennon Card donation is tax-deductible.
And the card isn’t just good on this evening. Buy a $50 Glennon Card tonight and you’ll receive the same deals listed above from Friday, Oct. 25 through November 3 at Alpine Shop as well as offers from 285 participating merchants throughout the St Louis area. Click here to see a complete list of merchants to choose from–like Alpine Shop!
Alpine Shop’s Marketing Director, Todd Oswald, was interviewed by Show Me St. Louis on KSDK-TV to discuss Alpine Shop’s involvement with the Glennon Card, along with his own personal story about his daughter’s experience at Cardinal Glennon. You can see the entire video by clicking on the photo below.
Alpine Shop Marketing Director Todd Oswald invites customers to participate in the 2013 Glennon Card Promotion.
Have you ever loved a pair of socks so much you told your friends about them? (Yes, I know we’re talking about socks here.) Have you ever actually gotten mad at someone in your family who “borrowed” your socks and “forgot” to return them? That’s the type of thing we hear all the time from our customers about their Smartwool socks.
Now, thanks to Smartwool and Socktober, we’ve got the chance to let you find out for yourself just how good these socks are. Get a FREE pair of Smartwool socks for a very limited time just by bringing in two pairs of your own gently worn, clean socks to any Alpine Shop location. We’ll put them to good use, donating them to veterans who have served our county through the Grand Chapter of Missouri, Order of the Eastern Star. We have a total of 200 socks across all four Alpine Shop locations to give away. Act quickly!
So, to recap: You bring us two pairs of good, clean, gently used socks. We give you a FREE pair of Smartwool socks. (We’ve got 200 to give away!) Your used socks get donated to veterans who need them.
Find Out Why People Love Smartwool
Here’s your chance to get a free pair of Smartwool socks.
If this is your first pair of Smartwool socks, we KNOW you will fall in love with them. If not for the fit, then for the merino wool that keeps your feet dryer and more comfortable all day long. And to top it off, unlike a lot of wool products, you can even toss these in the washer AND dryer.
(If these aren’t your first pair of Smartwools, I’m surprised you’re still reading this. I would have thought you’d have gone to find two pairs of socks already.)
Please note: One complimentary pair of socks per customer. (Although we’re happy to accept more donations from you if you decide to switch your entire sock wardrobe to Smartwool’s. We understand. We’ve done it ourselves.) Complimentary socks will be chosen from promotional selection provided by Smartwool, not from Alpine Shop’s store stock. This deal is only good while supplies last.
We’re Giving One Lucky Customer Their Favorite New Fall Outfit Just for Taking a Photo this Weekend!
So you’re wondering just how does this whole “get an outfit just by taking a photo” thing work? It’s pretty simple.
How to Enter This Weekend’s Sweepstakes:
1. Come into any Alpine Shop location this Saturday or Sunday, September 28 & 29, 2013.
2. If you’re 21 or older, enjoy some FREE Wine and Beer and…
3. Start trying on some of the huge selection of new fall and winter product we have in stock from brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Arc’Teryx, Marmot, Bogner, Burton and many more.
4. Snap a photo of your new favorite Alpine Shop outfit inside one of our stores.
5. Post your photo–or photos if you can’t choose just one–to our facebook page and…
6. Tag yourself in the photo. (We have to have some way of contacting you, you know?!)
We’ll select a random winner on Monday, Sept. 30 from all of the photos and give that lucky person $350 towards the outfit they were wearing in their photo. What makes up an outfit? The clothes, jackets, footwear, accessories and, heck, we’re an outdoor store, so anything else you can grab in our store and put in the photo with you. But the $350 is only good towards whatever you have in the photo with you.
Join Alpine Shop for Our “Fall Fashion Feature Weekend”
The picture includes the Down Duo Pack, TX. Direct Wash- In, and the Nubuck & Suede Proof products by Nikwax. All available In-store and online! www.alpineshop.com
   Ever suffer from water stains, leaky tents, or dirty coats? Sounds familiar to me as well! There is an easy solution to all of those problems, it’s been hiding right under your nose, it’s called Nikwax. Nikwax is a line of products that range from cleaning, waterproofing, conditioning, and UV protection without the harsh side effects that traditional cleaning detergents can have on gear. The brand has come out with a vast array of products that target a specific function that can be added to technical materials. We want our outdoor clothing to go through it all: rain, snow, wind, and dirt. Nikwax is a valuable product that lets us improve and re-vamp our favorite outdoor wardrobe while getting down with all the elements. Here are a few of our favorite Nikwax products!
Down Wash is a product used on down filled items such as sleeping bags, jackets, and even bedding. You simply add the soap based biodegradable cleaner into the wash cycle and viola! Your gear will come out clean, without clumping together like it can when cleaned traditionally (throwing a couple of tennis balls in the dryer adds loft back into the down as well!). This gentle formula will protect the down and the technical material as well as keeping the water-resistance intact. This product comes in an optional bundle pack with the Down Proofwhich adds a wash-in layer of water-repellent as well as breathability.
Wetter weather conditions are just around the corner and it will soon be time to break out the Gore-Tex. While the Gore-Tex products are high quality, it never hurts to amp up your waterproofed garment. T.X. Direct can be used in two ways, either added to the wash for waterproof/breathable fabrics or sprayed on for gear with wicking/absorbent liners. Both methods are quick and easy, while causing no damage to your gear.
Let us not forget the winter boots, especially suede! When fabrics such as these get wet, water spots can leave stains on the fabric. You can save yourself from those unsightly spots while adding a quick layer of waterproofing with Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof. It is the best accessory when buying a new pair of suede boots or shoes. This product sprays on easily, keeping your boots looking great and your feet dry all winter.
All of these Nikwax products among others can be found at the Alpine Shop and online www.alpineshop.com.
When you want to extend the life and look of your favorite gear, choose Nikwax!
Kate has built a top-notch resume on how to prepare for a lengthy hike by clocking in hundreds of miles on several trails scattered throughout Southeast Missouri, and as far as Grand Teton National Park. An eye for detail, Kate is your go-to girl whenever you need advice on women’s apparel, hiking tips, and hiking gear! As our newly appointed Marketing intern, stay tuned for her publications on RootsRated.com. There  you can find reviews on her favorite local areas, where she does what she enjoys most, hiking and backpacking! She has worked for the company over a year (anniversary was in July) and has quickly grown into one of our best. Here’s a quick way for you to learn a little more about our avid hiker and awesome outfitter, Kate Strube.
(1) Describe what you do at Alpine Shop and when you first started. (Or at least what you like to tell the people you meet at cocktail parties.)
I’m an Outfitter for the Kirkwood store since July 2012! I also took on the role of Area Coordinator for the Women’s, Children’s and Accessories section. I help people find what they need, lend an opinion or two, and keep the product looking pretty!
(2) Identify where you are from. Provide some background on a favorite thing to do or a place to visit in your hometown.
I’m from St. Louis….Glendale to be exact. Don’t blink when driving through Glendale, you’ll probably miss it. However, we do have awesome ice cream socials and jazz festivals. My favorite thing to do in St. Louis is find interesting, local places, preferably those that serve coffee or food. If you haven’t tried Boogaloo’s in Maplewood (delicious Cajun food) or Coffee Cartel in the Central West End, you should, they’re awesome local eateries/hang out places.
(3) What are some of the current outdoor sports/activities you enjoy? What got you started (or how did you get started) doing outdoor activities?
Hiking! I’m addicted to the trails. I’ve always loved being outside, but this past year I began exploring Missouri, searching for longer and longer hikes outside the St. Louis area. This summer, I hiked about 140 miles of various trails in Missouri, mostly in the South-Eastern section of the state. Missouri may not have impressive mountain ranges, but we have absolutely stunning varieties of remote forest and lots of wildlife! I also kayak, and I recently tried my hand at climbing for the first time!
I got started with outdoor activities at a young age. My parents encouraged me to be outside as much as possible, and most of our family vacations involved outdoor activities like white-water rafting or trips to the mountains. My grandpa lived in Arizona for most of my childhood, and I know that visiting him every year is the reason why I love the mountains so much today.
(4) Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself?” Describe why.
In Missouri? Rockwood Reservation. Peaceful and beautiful. (Try the Lime Kiln Trail for a quick morning hike, there’s a neat cave spring at the end of the trail) and Hawn State Park in St. Genevieve, MO–stunning pine forest! Most recently I traveled to The Grand Tetons which has quickly become my favorite place to “Get Outside” myself.
(5) What is an outdoor adventure you want to go on some day? Describe why.
I would love, love, love to be able to hike a substantial section of Pacific Crest Trail! The PCT runs from near the border of the United States and Mexico all the way up to British Columbia, Canada, through the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountain ranges. I’ve never been to the Northwestern part of the U.S, and I think this would be the best way to visit! Plus, I might actually find Bigfoot.
(6) Name and describe your favorite outdoor gear, product or brand. (If possible, provide link to said products on Alpine Shop’s website.)
Hmm-mm…..tough. Probably Arc’teryx, because they pay incredible attention to detail (seams on the INSIDE of the clothing, rather than the outside (to extend the life of the product; protect from wear and tear on seams), waterproof zippers, hybrid jackets: composed of two types of Gor-tex (lighter fabric on the body for easier compression/packability AND heavier, performance weight Gor-tex on areas of high abrasion like the shoulders). When I first looked at Arc’teryx products, I was really intimidated by the price-point, but I’ve since learned why they cost more: smarter design. Because I work in the Women’s section of the store, I mostly pay attention to the Arc’teryx clothing, but I’ve checked out their packs as well, which are also top of the line. My favorite Arc’teryx product is the Atom LT Hoody. This jacket is super lightweight and compressible. It’s insulated with Coreloft in the body, arms, and hood, and has athletic Power Stretch panels along the side for increased range of motion and breathability. It doesn’t hurt that it comes in awesome colors 🙂
ALSO: check out the video on Arc’teryx’s website called “How to Compress an Arc’teryx Atom Jacket”…basically, you can get the entire jacket into it’s own sleeve, and then “snap” it out and impress all your friends with how nifty and compressible your jacket is!
(7) What’s your favorite thing about Alpine Shop? (The people you work with. The customers. Being around cool stuff. Seeing the latest gear. A certain department. Other. You tell us.)
Oh goodness, I love pretty much everything about being at Alpine Shop, but probably the people I work with make it the best. I have fun at work and I learn something new every single day I’m there from the awesome people I get to be around.
(8) Describe why outdoor activity is so important to you.
Mental clarity. Being outside is the best remedy for stress. I always feel happier when I’m outside–and as my Dad always says, “the woods take your troubles away.” Like most people, I have a tendency to get caught up in all the craziness of life and become really stressed out. When I get the chance to be outside all day on a hike, I feel calmer and more clear-headed. And, I love that every time I get outside, I’m surprised and rewarded by something interesting!
(9) What’s one activity that you enjoy that has nothing to do with the outdoors?
Drawing! Sketching, colored pencil, and painting are my favorite mediums.
(10) Provide any personal family information you wish to share. (Kids, married, professional hot dog eating champion, more. Note, this is optional.)
Well….I come from a family of four: mom, dad, sister and me! My sis and I are 13 months apart in age. My dad is a professor of psychology, and my mom is an English teacher and a jewelry designer. I have an awesome family, I love them dearly.
Assistant Manager for the Columbia store and avid climber, Ryan Gajewski, dishes out some pretty awesome hands on experience for the new MadRock Shark 2.0 climbing shoe!
Over the past four months I have been testing the new MadRock Shark 2.0 climbing shoe. What is new this year is the split sole technology. The idea is to make the shoe more aggressive which aids in over hangs. I have found this to be the first time Mad Rock has put this technology in their shoes.
First things first, where were they tested? I tried to climb in multiple areas with different rock quality in order to get a real idea of how good the new style worked under different conditions.
I started in three gyms such as Boulder Gardens (Columbia, Mo), Upper Limits (St. Louis) and So Ill (St. Louis).
Outside locations included:
-Sandstone: Sam’s Throne, AR, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, AR, Obed/Clear Creek, TN and Eldorado Canyon, CO
-Granite: Leavenworth, WA
-Limestone: Providence, Warsaw , Wilton, and Columbia, MO
Types of routes that were climbed: Gyms:
-Sport climbing & Bouldering Outside:
-Bouldering, Sport and Trad
Here is what I found.
Pros:
-Price point. Every other split sole shoe retails around +$180.00 making the modest $119.00 very attractive.
-Fit. They are a very true fit, meaning you don’t have to guess and go down two shoe sizes like a lot of other bands. This makes finding your fit a lot easier and less frustrating. I found I only downsized 1/2 my street shoe.
-Comfort. Most split soles are very aggressive, this means you usually have to sacrifice comfort. The mad rocks fit very well with a super comfortable heel, and even though your toe are curled there are no pressure spots.
-Aggressive. These shoes even feel confident before you leave the ground, especially on overhanging boulders, I found they were very helpful when powering through thin lip turns and wild heel hooks.
Cons:
-Heel “mowhawk” is a neat concept but it only works well on specific types of heel hooks. I found that it sometimes would pop my heel off the rock when doing very small, smearing heel hooks.
-The rubber is not as sticky as La Sportiva’s Vibram or 5.10’s stealth rubber.
-It’s pretty specialized, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but a new climber would not enjoy these because of their aggressiveness.
These shoes are the perfect buy for the climber who is ready to jump to a more aggressive shoe, but doesn’t want to blow their entire paycheck. I feel this shoe really comes alive on the boulder wall in the gym. The rubber is not as good as others, therefore I found myself reaching for my higher end Sportiva’s and Evolve’s while outside.
The Sharks are a must for the aspiring climber who wants a second more aggressive shoe but doesn’t want to break the bank. These shoes can cruise you up your 5.7 and V0 warmup and then take you to your 5.13 roof or V8 problem without a hitch. And, on a closing note, they also won editor’s choice in Climbing magazine!
This week we are going to our store in Columbia, MO to tell you a little bit about our Assistant Manager, Liza Babington! Being a well-rounded outdoor enthusiast she has brought her passion and knowledge for outdoor activities to our company for over three years. She has been known to rock climb and horse back-ride from time to time, but that’s only naming two! She has broadened her education within our outdoor industry by traveling to conferences and training seminars for Ames Adventure Outdoors and SuperFeet. If you are ever in the area or moving there for school she can help you with pretty much everything in the store!
Email
lbabington@alpineshop.com
Date You Started at Alpine Shop
05/07/2010
(1) Which Alpine Shop location do you normally work at?
Columbia
(2) Describe what you do at Alpine Shop. (Or at least what you like to tell the people you meet at cocktail parties.)
Assistant Manager, I am in charge of scheduling and I assist in managing and training the floor staff. I also work as an outfitter on the sales floor who engages with customers and keeps the back-of-house operations running smoothly.
(3) Identify where you are from. Provide some background on a favorite thing to do or a place to visit in your hometown.
Ladue, St. Louis, MO. My favorite place in St. Louis is the ‘woods’ behind my parents house.
(4) What are some of the current outdoor sports/activities you enjoy? What got you started (or how did you get started) doing outdoor activities?
I have always enjoyed the outdoors and enjoy horseback riding, rock climbing, slack-lining, mountain biking, hiking and camping to name a few.
(5) Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself?” Describe why.
Anywhere I can get away from the noise of the city.
(6) What is an outdoor adventure you want to go on some day? Describe why.
I’d love to travel the world with my friends.
(7) Name and describe your favorite outdoor gear, product or brand. (If possible, provide link to said products on Alpine Shop’s website.)
My favorite gear is climbing gear. My favorite brands tie between Petzl , Marmot and Arc’teryx.
(8) What’s your favorite thing about Alpine Shop? (The people you work with. The customers. Being around cool stuff. Seeing the latest gear. A certain department. Other. You tell us.)
I most enjoy the amazing team I get to be a part of everytime I go to work.
(9) Describe why outdoor activity is so important to you.
Being outside keeps me in touch with me!
(10) What’s one activity that you enjoy that has nothing to do with the outdoors?
Sewing and playing the piano.
The beginning of the school year is right at our door steps and for some of us, we may have missed the opportunity earlier in the summer to do the shopping around. Whether it’s a new laptop, clothes, or backpack; we’re always scrambling to find the best product out there! Depending on what you are looking for; such as, versatility, durability, or how cool it looks there are tons of choices out there in the market. One way you can minimize your search is knowing certain brands can guarantee the quality and will outlast the competitors. Backpacks are getting pretty nifty, which only furthers the vastness of the selection, but there are a couple that we thought you should know the ins and outs about! Osprey and Patagonia, both known for having the utmost quality within the outdoor retail market both have their hands in creative backpack design. Designed with the outdoor based student in mind, these packs can withstand whatever you put them through. Not to mention, most of these brands have gender specific packs to ensure the most comfortable fit for both men and women.
Ladies if you are looking for something a bit more feminine, then the Osprey Flap Jill Bag is the perfect choice for you! Not only does this bag have a cute flower pattern, it comes in 4 vibrant colors and has three different color interchangeable straps for a multitude of possibilities. No matter if you plan on using this pack for school, work, outdoor adventures or everyday activities, all of your belongings can be easily and securely stored. It has a large front zippered pouch where smaller and more frequently accessed items can be organized leaving a spacious main pouch for larger items. The reflectors on the outside of this backpack make biking, hiking, or walking to the bus stop safer. Ladies of all ages can enjoy the functionality, durability, and finesse of this quality pack.
Then there is the 28 Liter Patagonia Refugio pack which is designed with everyone in mind. The outside of this pack is equipped with padded air flow straps making carrying around text books easier on your back and shoulders. The best part of this pack is the emergency whistle that is attached to one of the shoulder straps. This safety feature comes in handy in a number if situations such as walking around campus, walking into a dark parking garage, or walking home from the bus stop. Inside this pack is three compartments including a padded laptop sleeve and lined storage for protecting other electronics. This pack was made with not only your active life in mind, but your safety as well. Both of these and many more are available in-store and online www.alpineshop.com
Celebrate National S’mores Day on Saturday, August 10 in Kirkwood, as Alpine Shop becomes Osprey’s 13th Pro Shop in the nation. We’ll have a fire out front to roast your own s’mores as well as refreshments of the adult variety on hand to help make this a true celebration. And it’s all free to you!
Headquartered in Cortez, Colo., Osprey has helped pioneer the custom-fit backpack for customers of all sizes and shapes.
The party will start at noon and continue until 5 pm with Osprey giveaways every hour on the hour. Prizes include
This Osprey Volt 75 Pack is one of the giveaways during the Saturday, August 10 Party to celebrate National S’mores Day and the new Osprey Pro Shop at Alpine Shop Kirkwood
an Osprey Volt 75 Pack and a Viva 65 Pack, both valued at $200 each. All told, we’ll be giving away over $500 worth of prizes throughout the day.
No purchase is necessary. Just come by and have some fun with us and Osprey.
We are back at it again! This week it’s all about Kirkwood Store Manager, Peter Carleton! He’s our in-house curator for employee get-togethers, barbecuer, and the list just keeps going. Any given day you can find Peter at our Kirkwood store either managing the floor, leading a bike ride, or even waxing a pair of skis. He’s got an exciting next few months ahead of him seeing as he is getting hitched this fall! He’s been part of the team since 2007 and we want to thank Peter for his years of being one awesome Alpiner!
Name:Â Peter “Pete” Carleton
(1) Describe what you do at Alpine Shop. (Or at least what you like to tell the people you meet at cocktail parties.)
I am the Store Manager of our Kirkwood Location. I also lead bike rides, assist with kayak trips, repair the occasional flat tire, wax some skis and boards, and I have been known to barbecue on Sundays from time to time.
(2) Identify where you are from. Provide some background on a favorite thing to do or a place to visit in your hometown.
St. Louis, Missouri has always been my basecamp, but I lived in Iowa and Connecticut for brief stints before my latest return to the St. Louis area nearly seven years ago. In St. Louis nothing beats a few beers at the Cardinals game. The Iowa State Fair is an event that no Iowan (is that how you say it?) misses, and New York City is the highlight of every visit to my parents’ Connecticut home.
(3) What are some of the current outdoor sports/activities you enjoy? What got you started (or how did you get started) doing outdoor activities?Â
I grew up camping and floating with my father, uncle Mike, and three little brothers. I then joined the Cub Scouts, later joined the Boy Scouts, and eventually earned Eagle Scout rank. Through all of those experiences I really learned to appreciate the many rivers and forests our great country has to offer. My favorite activity that I learned early on is paddling a canoe. There is nothing more relaxing and satisfying as multi-day canoe trip with friends and family.
(4) Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself?” Describe why.
My absolute favorite place to “Get Outside Myself’ is paddling the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Over the past few years I have not had as many chances to get down there, so my more recent alternative is Onandoga Cave State Park (where my camping career started). It is just far enough to get away from St. Louis for a long weekend, but close enough to head down there for a last-minute overnight trip. Onandoga is also a great place for “River TV”.
(5) What is an outdoor adventure you want to go on some day? Describe why.
I Â would really like to get back to The Boundary Waters. I was fortunate enough to spend a week canoeing with my father and brother up there when I was younger, and would love to get back up there with them. That trip was the greatest outdoor adventure I have ever been on. If you two are reading this I am serious, let’s go!
(6) Name and describe your favorite outdoor gear, product or brand.Â
(7) What’s your favorite thing about Alpine Shop?Â
My favorite thing about Alpine Shop is that every time I come to work I get to talk with the most passionate Outdoors people in the world. Between our customers, outfitters, managers, back-office staff, and athletes you will never meet a more diverse group of people that all have an intense passion for the outdoors.
(8) Describe why outdoor activity is so important to you.
Being outside is probably the most important activity I can share with others. If every person got outside for just a little bit each day the world would be a better place.
(9) What’s one activity that you enjoy that has nothing to do with the outdoors?
When I am not working at Alpine Shop or getting outdoors; I am spending time working on my new home in South St. Louis. When I can get away from that, I enjoy tinkering on my vintage Moped.
(10) Kids, married, professional hot dog eating champion, etc? What else should people know about you?
I got engaged last summer while traveling through Italy, and we are getting married in September.
I am the oldest of four, and we have recently stretched the Carleton empire to all four corners of the United States.
